James Earl Pelzel

James Earl Pelzel

July 3, 1928-August 30, 2025

James passed away peacefully August 30, 2025, at his home in Rosebud, TX. He is pre-deceased by his wife, Marcella, brothers Wilburn, Dennis, Bill and Calvin and parents Fritz and Maggie. He is survived by brother Freddie-Joe, by sons John and Rodney, daughters Cheryl, Sandra and Leslie, daughter-in-law Susan, sons-in-law Frank and Gus, grandchildren Jeff, Jennifer, Zachary, Jamie, Shanya, Sarah, Sharly, Brittany, Jimmy, Chelsea, Clinton, Parker, and Maddison as well as great-grandchildren Shelby, Erica, Gavin, Diego, Sienna, Benajmin, Makai, Kacen, Beckett, Henry, Bozena, Brett, Brayden, Brynn, Kai, Maeve, Brielle, Keira, and Noa. He will be greatly missed as he was greatly loved.

Born the son of a share-cropper in Westphalia, TX, James went on to serve proudly as a U.S. Marine. While on leave visiting his family in San Angelo, TX, he met the love of his life, Marcella Kusy. They married two months later and were posted to Long Beach, CA after WWII where they started a family. James went on to become a valued and decorated top salesman and manager for Edison Bros. of California and eventually struck out on his own, opening eight Air Step Shoes stores of his own before retiring to his family land in Rosebud, TX. James and Marcella thoroughly enjoyed the home they built and had a retirement filled with the love and laughter of family, friends at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, music, and travel. James was devoted to his Catholic faith and was always aware how truly blessed he was.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. in the Church of the Visitation in Westphalia. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Westphalia. Visitation will be held on Friday from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Cook-Gerngross-Green-Patterson Funeral Home in Rosebud. A Rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m.

Memorials may be made to St. Ann Catholic Church in Rosebud.

“Without God's guidance I would lose direction. I’m thankful for Him daily and nightly before I go to bed, sometimes not so thankful with all the aches and pains of old age but considering what He did for us it’s kind of minor.” -James Earl Pelzel